Buncombe County invites applications for emergency funds

Buncombe County has been awarded Federal funds made available through the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)/ Federal Emergency Management Agency under the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program.

Buncombe County has been chosen to receive $101,180 to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the county.

The selection was made by a National Board that is chaired by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency and consists of representatives from American Red Cross, Catholic Charities USA, National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA, The Jewish Federations of North America, The Salvation Army and United Way Worldwide. The Local Board was charged to distribute funds appropriated by Congress to help expand the capacity of food and shelter programs in high-need areas around the country.

A Local Board made up of community organizations will determine how the funds awarded to Buncombe County are to be distributed among the emergency food and shelter programs run by local service agencies in the area. The Local Board is responsible for recommending agencies to receive these funds and any additional funds made available under this phase of the program.

Under the terms of the grant from the National Board, local agencies chosen to receive funds must: 1) be private voluntary non-profits or units of government, 2) be eligible to receive Federal funds, 3) have an accounting system, 4) practice nondiscrimination, 5) have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs, 6) if they are a private voluntary organization, have a voluntary board. Qualifying agencies are urged to apply.

Buncombe County has distributed Emergency Food and Shelter funds previously through ABCCM, Children First Communities in Schools, Eblen Charities, Manna Food Bank, Meals on Wheels of Asheville and Buncombe County, Swannanoa Community Council, and The Salvation Army. These agencies were responsible for providing $94,923 of Emergency Shelter and utility assistance last year through these funds.

Public or private voluntary agencies interested in applying for Emergency Food and Shelter Program funds must contact Tracie Franklin, tracie.franklin@buncombecounty.org or (828) 250- 5564 for an application. The deadline for applications to be received is December 13, 2012.